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Kolkata Metro Line 1

Coordinates: 22°38′23″N 88°23′38″E / 22.63972°N 88.39389°E / 22.63972; 88.39389
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Kolkata Metro Line 1
----
Blue Line
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleIndia Kolkata metropolitan region, India
Termini
Connecting linesGreen Line Purple Line Yellow Line Pink Line Orange Line
Stations26
WebsiteIndian Railways
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemKolkata Metro
Operator(s)Metro Railway, Kolkata
Depot(s)
Rolling stock
Daily ridership600,000 - 650,000 (Weekdays)
380,000 (Weekends)
Ridership176.9 Million (Yearly)[1]
History
Opened24 October 1984; 40 years ago (1984-10-24)
Last extension22 February 2021; 3 years ago (2021-02-22)
Technical
Line length32.13 km (19.96 mi)
Number of tracks2
Characterunderground, at-grade and elevated
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speed55 km/h (34 mph) (in service)
SignallingTPWS signalling
(upgrading to CBTC signalling)
Route map

Dakshineswar ferry/water interchange
Baranagar
Noapara
Keshtopur Canal
Dum Dum
Belgachia
Circular Canal
Shyambazar
Sovabazar Sutanuti
Girish Park
Mahatma Gandhi Road
Central
Chandni Chowk
Green Line
← to Howrah Maidan
to Teghoria →
Esplanade
Park Street
Maidan
Rabindra Sadan
Netaji Bhavan
Jatin Das Park
Kalighat
Tollygunge
Rabindra Sarobar
Mahanayak Uttam Kumar
Netaji
Masterda Surya Sen
Gitanjali
Kavi Nazrul
Shahid Khudiram
Kavi Subhash

Line 1 (Blue Line) is a rapid transit metro line of the Kolkata Metro in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It consists of 26 operational stations from Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash, out of which 9 of the stations are elevated, 2 are at-grade and the remaining 15 are underground. With a total distance of 32.13 km (19.96 mi), the line connects Dakshineswar and New Garia and uses 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge tracks. This line was the first underground railway to be built in India, with the first operations commencing in October 1984 and the full stretch that was initially planned being operational by February 1995. On 28 December 2010, Kolkata Metro became the 17th zone of the Indian Railways.[2] Being the country's first, and a completely indigenous process, the construction of the Kolkata Metro Line 1 was more of a trial-and-error affair, in contrast to the Delhi Metro, which has seen the involvement of numerous international consultants. As a result, it took nearly 23 years to completely construct around 15 km (9.3 mi) underground railway from Birpara up to Tollygunge.

It connects Line 2 at Esplanade and Line 6 at Kavi Subhash, and will eventually connect Line 3 at Esplanade and Park Street, Line 4 at Noapara and Line 5 at Baranagar. Public transport experts have suggested that the line be extended from Dakshineswar to Bally (where it can connect with Howrah Division of Kolkata Suburban Railway) and eventually to Dankuni, an emerging industrial hub of Kolkata metropolitan region.

History

[edit]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Noapara-Dakshineswar stretch of Blue Line on February 22, 2021.

The laying of the founding stone was done in 1972, but actual construction of line 1 started only in 1978. Line 1 is 31.38 km (19.50 mi) long with 26 stations (see above). Running of the first metro car on the line by 1984 was considered a great engineering challenge. Former railways minister A. B. A. Ghani Khan Chowdhury took a massive effort to perform it. The first section opened between Esplanade & Bhawanipore (now called Netaji Bhawan). First day Metro Railway Kolkata was started by Sri Tapan Kumar Nath and Sri Sanjay Sil. There were no connections of this stretch with the two depots at Dum Dum & Tollygunge (Now called Mahanayak Uttam Kumar). So metro cars had to be put down on the track near Esplanade by crane, by directly digging the road surface. Initially, only four-car trains were run until 1986. There were no magnetic gates or escalators at that time and ordinary revolving gates served as exits. The Metro too operated on only a single line. Two years later, line 1 extended up to Tollygunge, at the southern end. At the same time, the metro service was extended to the double line. Magnetic tickets and more entry gates were also introduced at that time. The number of compartments in each train was increased to eight.

Metro service was also started from Dum Dum, at the northern end, to Belgachia in parallel with the extension of the line to the south. But this short portion was not popular and the service was closed down to be restarted when the entire stretch along the north–south corridor was completed.

After 1986 many political incidents hampered the construction, and work almost stopped for nearly six years. After restarting work, the Dum Dum to Shyambazar metro service was started in 1994. This portion was served by four-car trains. Two months later, the Esplanade – Chandni Chowk section was opened and Chandni Chowk – Central section opened three months later. The service from Dum Dum to Tollygunge started in 1995, with Mahatma Gandhi Road metro station, opening in 1996. During this time, more magnetic gates and escalators were added and the revolving gates were slowly phased out.

In 2009, a large number of stations on Line 1 were renamed by then Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee.[3]

On 22 February 2021, the Noapara – Dakshineswar stretch was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On 21 July 2024, the entire stretch from Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash, crossed 1.92 lakh passenger mark for the first time on a single day.[4]

Timeline

[edit]

The following dates represent the dates the section opened to the public, not the private inauguration.

History
Extension date Terminals Length
24 October 1984 Esplanade Bhowanipore 3.40 kilometers (2.11 mi)
12 November 1984 Dum Dum Belgachhia 2.15 kilometers (1.34 mi)
29 April 1986 Bhowanipur (now Netaji Bhavan) Tollygunge (now Mahanayak Uttam Kumar) 4.24 kilometers (2.63 mi)
13 August 1994 Belgachhia Shyambazar 1.63 kilometers (1.01 mi)
2 October 1994 Esplanade Chandni Chowk 0.71 kilometers (0.44 mi)
19 February 1995 Shyambazar Girish Park 1.92 kilometers (1.19 mi)
19 February 1995 Chandni Chowk Central 0.60 kilometers (0.37 mi)
27 September 1995 Central Girish Park 1.80 kilometers (1.12 mi)
22 August 2009 Tollygunge (Mahanayak Uttam Kumar) Garia Bazar (now Kavi Nazrul) 5.85 kilometers (3.64 mi)
7 October 2010 Garia Bazar (now Kavi Nazrul) New Garia (now Kavi Subhash) 3.00 kilometers (1.86 mi)
10 July 2013 Dum Dum Noapara 2.09 kilometers (1.30 mi)
22 February 2021 Noapara Dakshineswar 4.1 kilometers (2.5 miles)
Total Dakshineswar New Garia (now Kavi Subhash) 31.3 kilometers (19.4 mi)

Stations

[edit]

The stations of this Line are:

Line 1 (Blue Line)
# Station Name Location Phase Opening Connections Layout Platform Type Depot Coordinates Notes
English Bengali
1 Dakshineswar দক্ষিণেশ্বর Dakshineswar 7 22nd Feb 2021 Dakshineswar

Dakshineswar Bus Stand

Alambazar More bus Stop

ferry/water interchange Ma Bhabotarini Jetty Ghat

Elevated Side
  • Noapara Depot
  • Tollygunge Depot
  • New Garia Depot
2 Baranagar বরানগর Baranagar Pink Line
Baranagar (Planned)
----

Baranagar Road

Dunlop Bus Stand

22°37′23″N 88°25′38″E / 22.62306°N 88.42722°E / 22.62306; 88.42722 Also known as Dunlop Crossing[5]
3 Noapara নোয়াপাড়া Noapara 6 10 July 2013 Yellow Line
Noapara (U\C)
----

34C Bus Stand

Health More Bus Stop

Gharui Paschimpara Bus Stop

Both side & island 22°38′23″N 88°23′38″E / 22.63972°N 88.39389°E / 22.63972; 88.39389|
4 Dum Dum দমদম Dum Dum Junction railway station 1B 12th Nov 1984 Dum Dum Jn

Dum Dum Station Bus Stop

Side
5 Belgachia বেলগাছিয়া Belgachia

Belgachia Bus Depot

Belgachia Metro Bus Stop

Belgachia More Bus Stop

Underground Island
6 Shyambazar শ্যামবাজার Shyambazar 3A 15th Feb 1995

Shyambazar Tram Depot

Shyambazar Metro Bus Stop

Shyambazar 5 Point Bus Stop

Shyambazar Bus Stand

7 Shobhabazar Sutanuti শোভাবাজার সুতানুটি Shobhabazar

Shobhabazar Metro Bus Stop

Jaipuria College Bus Stop

8 Girish Park গিরিশ পার্ক Jorasanko Girish Park Bus Stop Also known as Jorasanko
9 Mahatma Gandhi Road মহাত্মা গান্ধী রোড Burrabazar 3B 27th Sep 1995 Mahajati Sadan Bus Stop

Ram Mandir Bus Stop

Muhammad Ali Park Bus Stop

Muhammad Ali Park Tram Stop

Also known as Mahajati Sadan
10 Central সেন্ট্রাল Bowbazar 3A 15th Feb 1995

Central Avenue Bus Stop

Central Metro Station Bus Stop

School of Tropical Medicine Bus Stop

Medical College Bus Stop

Also known as Bowbazar
11 Chandni Chowk চাঁদনি চক Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk Bus Stop

Victoria House Bus Stop

Island
12 Esplanade এসপ্ল্যানেড Dharmatala 1A 24th Oct 1984 Purple Line
Esplanade (U\C)

Green Line
Esplanade
----

Esplanade Tram Depot

Esplanade Bus Terminus (WBTC, CTC, SBSTC, NBSTC)

International Bus Terminus. Also known as Dharmatala / Chowringhee
13 Park Street পার্ক স্ট্রীট Park Street Purple Line
Park Street (U/C)
----

Park Street Bus Stop

Side Also known as Mother Teresa Sarani
14 Maidan ময়দান Maidan Maidan Bus Stop Island
15 Rabindra Sadan রবীন্দ্র সদন Rabindra Sadan Exide More Bus Stop

Rabindra Sadan Bus Stop

Chowringhee Road-Calcutta Club Bus Stop

Also known as Exide
16 Netaji Bhavan নেতাজি ভবন Bhawanipore Netaji Bhawan Bus Stop

Jadu Babur Bazar Bus Stop

Also known as Bhawanipore
17 Jatin Das Park যতীন দাস পার্ক Hazra Junction 2 29 April 1986 Hazra Bus Stop

Jatin Das Park Bus Stop

Sujata Sadan Bus Stop

Also known as Hazra
18 Kalighat কালীঘাট Kalighat Rasbehari Crossing Tram Stop

Rashbehari Crossing Bus Stop

Rashbehari Gurudwara Bus Stop

Also known as Rashbehari
19 Rabindra Sarobar রবীন্দ্র সরোবর Rabindra Sarobar Tollygunge

Charu Market Tram Stop

Rabindra Sarobar Bus Stop

Bhabani Cinema Bus Stop

Also known as Charu Market
20 Mahanayak Uttam Kumar মহানায়ক উত্তম কুমার Tollygunge Tollygunge Tram Depot

Tollygunge Bus Depot

Tollygunge Tram Depot Bus Stop

At Grade Both side & island Also known as Tollygunge
21 Netaji নেতাজি Kudghat 4 22nd Aug 2009 Kudghat Bus Stand Elevated Side Also known as Kudghat
22 Masterda Surya Sen মাস্টারদা সূর্য সেন Bansdroni Bansdroni Bus Stand Also known as Bansdroni
23 Gitanjali গীতাঞ্জলি Naktala Rathtala Bus Stop

Naktala Minibus Stand

Bunty Cinema Bus Stop

Also known as Naktala
24 Kavi Nazrul কবি নজরুল Garia Garia Metro Bus Stop

Garia More Bus Stop

Garia Bazar Bus Stop

Garia 6 Number Bus Stand

Garia 5 Number Bus Stand

Also known as Garia Bazar
25 Shahid Khudiram শহিদ ক্ষুদিরাম Briji 5 7th Oct 2010 Khudiram Metro Bus Stop

Dhalai Bridge Bus Stop

Also known as Dhalai Bridge
26 Kavi Subhash কবি সুভাষ New Garia Orange Line
Kavi Subhash
----

New Garia

New Garia Bus Stand

At Grade Also known as New Garia
Kolkata Metro rake on the north–south line.

Alignment & interchanges

[edit]

Dakshineswar, Baranagar, Dum Dum, Park Street, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Netaji, Masterda Surya Sen, Gitanjali, Kavi Nazrul, Shahid Khudiram and Kavi Subhash have side platforms; all other stations have island platforms. Central and Noapara are exceptions as they have both platforms on the sides as well as in the centre. Dakshineswar, Baranagar, Dum Dum, Rabindra Sarovar & Kavi Subhash have connections to interchange with Kolkata Suburban Railway. Shyambazar, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Esplanade, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar & Mahanayak Uttam Kumar stations have connections to the tram network. EM Bypass can be accessed from the Shahid Khudiram metro station and Kavi Subhash metro station.

Extension up to New Garia (2010)

[edit]

Mamata Banerjee during her first tenure as the railway minister initiated the project of Tollygunge – Garia metro extension. During her second tenure (2009–2011) she inaugurated the extension, and also introduced new Air Conditioned rakes, manufactured indigenously at the Integral Coach Factory.

The new extension to Garia Bazar in the south opened to the public on 23 August 2009. The Garia Bazar station was named after Kavi Nazrul. A final extension, in the southern end, from Kavi Nazrul (Garia Bazar) to Kavi Subhash (New Garia) was inaugurated on 7 October 2010, bringing the total number of stations to 23. On the same day, two Air-Conditioned rakes were also pressed into service.

Extension up to Noapara (2013) and Dakshineswar (2021)

[edit]

The line was extended up to Noapara from Dum Dum on 10 July 2013. The line was further extended from Noapara to Dakshineswar (4.1 km) is now complete & operational. It will be met by a metro line from Barrackpore at Baranagar (12.5 km).[6] Trial runs for this stretch started on 23 December 2020, after delay due to COVID-19 pandemic. The stretch was inaugurated on 22 February 2021 & commercial operations began from the following day.[7]

The stations on this stretch are :

  1. Noapara
  2. Baranagar
  3. Dakshineswar

Features

[edit]

Technical features

[edit]
Rake at Girish Park metro station.

Metro construction is of a very complex nature requiring the application of several new technologies in the fields of civil, electrical, signaling and telecommunication engineering. Indian engineers backed by their own experience and supplemented by their studies abroad adopted advanced technologies in the following fields for the first time in India.

  • Cut and cover method of construction using diaphragm walls and sheet piles.
  • Use of extensive decking to keep the traffic flowing over the cut while construction is in progress underneath.
  • Shield tunneling using compressed air and airlocks.
  • Ballastless track using elastic fastenings, rubber pads, epoxy mortar and nylon inserts.
  • Air-conditioning and ventilation system for environmental control of stations and tunnels.
  • Third Rail current collection system for traction.
  • Underground substations with dry-type transformers and SF6 circuit breakers.
  • Tunnel-Train VHF-radio communication system.
  • Microprocessor-based train control and supervisory remote control system for substations.
  • Automatic ticket vending and checking system.

Salient features

[edit]
Total route length 32.13 km (19.96 mi)
Stations 26 (15 underground, 2 on the surface and 9 elevated)
Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6.0 in), Indian Broad Gauge
Cars per train 8
Maximum permissible speed 80 km/h (50 mph)
Average speed 30–31 km/h (18.6–19.3 mph)
Voltage 750 V D.C.
Method of current collection Third Rail
Travel Time: Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash 62 minutes (approx.)
Headways Average 10 minutes
Total estimated cost of the project 18.25 billion (US$218.7 million) (approx.)
Environment control Air condtioners are used in all trains.

Proposed Feature and Expansion

[edit]

Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) are a system of full height/half height motorized sliding doors that provide controlled access to the trains and protect the platform edge. PSD work is proposed for all stations in this line to minimize suicidal cases common in this route. This plan was proposed after the successful utilization of Platform Screen Doors to keep the no. of suicidal cases in Kolkata Metro Line 2 to absolute zero.[8]

Metro Railway also plans to extend the platform and viaduct of Dakshineswar metro station by ~90 m (300 ft) via erection of two new pillars beyond the current length to facilitate a crossover so that the trains can switch tracks faster in order to increase the frequency of services to the Noapara–Dakshineswar stretch.[9]

Rolling stock

[edit]

ICF/MEDHA

[edit]
ICF/MEDHA rake
MEDHA metro rake at Dakshineswar metro station
In service2019–present
ManufacturerIntegral Coach Factory and Medha Servo Drives Private Limited
DesignerIntegral Coach Factory
AssemblyChennai,  India
Family nameICF 4000 series
Number built18
Number in service18
Formation2DTC+4MC+2TC
Design codeMR-40n
Capacity3,520
OperatorsMetro Railway, Kolkata
Depots
Lines served
Specifications
Car length19.5 m
Width2.74 m
Height3.625 m
DoorsAutomatic Sliding doors
Maximum speed90 kmph
Traction motors204 kW /3 phase
Power output3264 HP
Acceleration0.85 m/s2
Deceleration1.1 m/s2
HVACAir conditioned
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
BogiesICF bogie
Braking system(s)Regenerative braking
Coupling systemScharfenberg coupler
SeatingLongitudinal facing seats
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge
CRRC Dalian rake
The first rake at Noapara depot
ManufacturerCRRC
AssemblyDalian, China
Design codeMR-50n
OperatorsMetro Railway, Kolkata
DepotsNoapara
Lines served Blue line
Specifications
Car length19.5 m
Width2.74 m
Height3.65 m
Floor height1.13 m
Wheel diameter860 mm
Maximum speed80 kmph
Axle load17 tons
Power supply750 V DC
HVACAir conditioned
Electric system(s)Third rail
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
SeatingLongitudinal facing seats
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge
Notes/references
Passenger operation Started on 17th march 2023

There was a need to replace non-AC rakes on Line 1 and so during mid 2015 it was announced that Indian Railways for the first time would rope an international train-maker, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) based in Dalian.[10] As per the tender, 14 new rakes composed of 8 coaches each will be supplied to Kolkata Metro by CNR Dalian, a subsidiary of CRRC Dalian, which will be running on Blue Line. These rakes will be of ultra-modern technology. They will have doors that will be 20 cm (7.9 in) wider than any other metro rails in India. They will have wide vestibules, 2 feet 6 inches (0.76 m) wider than the existing trains. The design consists of the aerodynamic front with large doors and LED Lights, and violet colored stripe on silver color body. These rakes are capable of a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). The first of the 14 rakes from Chinese firm Dalian was slated to arrive by December 2017 but got delayed due to various reasons. The first rake finally arrived in Kolkata on 3 March 2019 on a vessel at Netaji Subhash dock of Kolkata port.[11] Each of the 8 coaches of the rake weigh nearly 45 tonnes. The rake was unloaded and taken to Noapara Carshed, after which trial runs and inspection would be carried out before commencing operations. Other 13 rakes are ready, but the shipment got delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

These rakes were under performance trials for more than 20 months as serious problems related to performance of the rake were identified during trials. Some of the issues related to insufficient power to climb up the slopes in the tunnels and higher oscillation in the bogie.[12][13]

On 17 March 2023, the first Dalian rake was inducted into service. Another 3 rakes will arrive soon.

Old fleet

[edit]
Kolkata Metro Old fleet, Discontinued in 2021

The whole fleet is vestibuled. Carbodies and mechanical components were made by ICF with electrical components made by NGEF, Bangalore. The fleet is unique in that it is the only railroad equipment in India with end-mounted cab doors (except for some of the WAG-6 series locomotives).

ICF has specifically designed, manufactured and supplied these cars for the first underground railway system. The special features incorporated are:

  • Traction power supply through third rail current collection system.
  • Automatic door opening/closing and continuous monitoring of the transit.
  • Automatic Train Stop (ATS) system which will automatically apply the brakes in case of human failure.
  • Automatic train operation (ATO) with the driver acting as the train supervisor (optional).
  • A public address system is provided on the trains to announce approaching stations. A central dispatcher can contact any of the train crew and also make important announcements directly to passengers over the system.

With all these features, the design and manufacturing process of these cars to a very high standard of reliability and safety has been a challenge. This was achieved without any technical collaboration.

Reservation for women

[edit]

In 2008, the Kolkata Metro Railway experimented with the practice of reserving two entire compartments for women.[14]

This system was found to be ineffective and caused inconvenience for a lot of commuters (including women) and the plan was eventually dropped by the metro authority. But a certain section of seats in each of the eight compartments is reserved for women.

Problems with this line

[edit]

The founder of Delhi Metro, E. Sreedharan said Indian Railways are not experts at urban transport, and misplanned the Kolkata metro from the beginning.[15] A private company should run the metro and can bring it up to standard in five years.[15]

Since Kolkata Metro is under Indian Railways, it can't take its own independent decisions. It has to rely on Indian Railways for everything (like rakes etc.). The rakes are ordered directly from ICF without floating any global tenders.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kolkata Metro (1 January 2024). "North-South Metro Carried More Than 17 Crores Passengers in 2023".
  2. ^ "Kolkata Metro is now the 17th zone of Indian Railways". The Times of India. 29 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  3. ^ "Game of the name".
  4. ^ "Kolkata Metro: Dakshineswar-New Garia Blue Line's 80% surge in ridership". Financial Express. 22 July 2024.
  5. ^ TNN (3 January 2010). "Mamata paves way for Metro's northern journey". Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  6. ^ Express News Service (3 January 2010). "Mamata lays foundation for Dum Dum-Dakshineswar Metro". Express India. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  7. ^ Mondal, Biswadeep (23 December 2020). "Metrorail Kolkata conducts first trial run of Kolkata's Dakshineswar Metro". Mint.
  8. ^ "Kolkata Metro ने स्टेशन पर सुसाइड रोकने के लिए उठाया ये कदम, सभी प्लेटफॉर्म पर किए जाएंगे खास इंतजाम - Kolkata Metro decision Automatic screen doors will be installed on Platform to Prevent Suicide". Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Metro Rly Seeks Land For Platform Extension". The Times of India.
  10. ^ Basak, Probal (20 June 2015). "Modern Chinese rakes for Kolkata Metro". Business Standard India. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Metro rake from China off vessel". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  12. ^ "印度加尔各答地铁车辆_产品中心_城轨_大连公司". www.crrcgc.cc. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  13. ^ Gupta, Jayanta (25 June 2020). "Kolkata: With Chinese signal system deal off the table, fate of 13 Dalian Metro rakes hangs in balance". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Life in a ladies' Metro". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  15. ^ a b "DMRC MD E Sreedharan says many Indian cities need metro rail urgently – Business Today". Businesstoday.intoday.in. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
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